A Vital Force In Public Facilities Management
From historic venues to major public events, Rome’s facilities run on dedication, coordination, and a passion for serving the community.
Wendy Reid stands out as one of Rome’s foremost public officials, particularly in the realm of multi-tasking. As the Director of Facilities for the City of Rome, she manages a diverse array of venues, including the City Auditorium, the Rome Community Center, the Rome Civic Center, and the Rome Area History Center. It is her responsibility to ensure these facilities operate smoothly—a task she thoroughly enjoys.
Reid, whose office is located in City Hall, joined the city staff in July 2015. Before her current role, she spent over nine years as the executive administrative assistant at the Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Department.
She takes great pleasure in helping individuals plan special events, whether they are wedding receptions, baby showers, birthday parties, family reunions, or corporate gatherings. “I also really love bringing special events to the Rome City Auditorium for people to enjoy,” Reid shared. In the post-COVID era, her efforts in booking the auditorium have been particularly robust: “Over the past two years, we have had a rehearsal or event here in the auditorium on average 160 days a year. We could always be busier, but for the most part, it remains fully booked,” she noted.
One challenge Reid faces is the limited availability of dates in high demand, especially for the City Auditorium. The Civic Center on Jackson Hill is nearly booked every weekend year-round, making it a challenge to manage schedules effectively. “Everybody wants a date in December or May, and sometimes I have to tell people no, which is disappointing,” Reid explained. “It’s the same situation at the Civic Center. If I had more than two spaces, I could fill them easily.”
It is not uncommon for Reid to have facilities booked over a year in advance. Looking ahead to 2026, the auditorium is already slated to host The Ultimate Doors: Tribute to The Doors on February 6, followed by legendary country singer Gene Watson on February 7. Reid believes the auditorium’s 1,100-seat capacity is ideally suited for the growing trend of tribute bands performing beloved classics.
In addition to the auditorium, the historic Water Works building on Jackson Hill, which also falls under Reid’s direction, is available for public use. Rentals at the event space on the second floor of the Rome Area History Center have surged, becoming particularly popular for wedding receptions and diverse public lectures.
Affordability plays a crucial role in the successful usage of the various public facilities Reid oversees. “When you compare us to other wedding venues and rental spaces, we offer non-profit rates that many private entities do not. I believe we are extremely fair,” Reid stated.
In addition to overseeing the rentals of these various facilities, Reid manages a wide range of operational aspects, ensuring that every event is a success.
That alarm at the gate is real. Literacy impacts graduation rates, future careers, civic participation, and every piece of a child’s development. It affects lifelong outcomes. And the district is determined to ensure that every child in Rome has the tools, support, and encouragement to become a confident reader. That’s why programs like Read Across Rome and Books in Barbershops and Beauty Salons work in tandem. One brings the community into classrooms. The other sends the classroom out into the community. Together, they form a full circle of literacy support.
Guest readers do more than read a story. They show children what reading looks like in real life. When adults sit down with a picture book and read with enthusiasm, it creates a powerful moment for students. For some students, it’s a moment of inspiration. For others, it’s reassurance. For many, it’s a spark. “You just might say something at your barbershop or beauty salon that may strike a kid’s curiosity,” Dr. Holland says. “The kids are listening, and if you talk about reading and literacy, it will make an impact.”
His message is clear: everyone has a role. Every voice matters. Every story counts. When you put these two initiatives side by side, you see a beautiful narrative unfolding in Rome — Classrooms filled with guest readers — barbershops filled with books. Students tracking minutes toward an 8-million-minute goal. Families joining in. Businesses saying, “We’re on board.” Teachers cheering students on. A community leaning in, lifting up, and sharing a mission.
Rome City Schools hopes that every child who hears a story in a classroom will later see a book in a salon and feel the same sense of curiosity. That every family that tracks minutes will notice improvement and celebrate reading together. That every corner of Rome, from school hallways to barbershop waiting areas, will echo with the joy of turning pages. And most of all, that every child will see themselves as a reader because that’s the real goal: not just raising test scores, not just meeting benchmarks, but raising readers, lifelong readers, who explore, imagine, and grow.